Use What you Have & add Gold!

      Do you like the tradition of bringing out special decorations for each season? I really do, it makes me feel like I am participating in the rhythm of life. It may be a symbolic expression of the very realistic ways our lives must adapt to the changes fall brings, as it carries us on toward winter.  Not everyone has the same weather, but the passing of the months and years affects us all...so let's have a little fun with it!
      And, you don't really have to buy anything new, just think of new ways to use what you have!

       I created a new centerpiece by using things I already owned. I took some artificial apples out of the bowl on the breakfast table and scattered some of them across a tray I owned. I added 3 of my battery-powered candles, and turned them on to test the result.  It makes a wonderful evening centerpiece, with the candles glowing, and is also nice on the narrow table in the entry way. I like its casual, care-free look. The colors work because the red of the tray is complementary to the Granny Smith/Blush green of the apples. They are opposite one another on the color wheel, which means, of all the colors, they are most different.

           You can add a richness to your fall decorating, with some good quality gold spray.  We love the Pineapple as a symbol of Hospitality and confort, and we wanted to dress up our own Large Pineapple.  We liked the results, shown here. This pineapple could be the star of your centerpiece on a table or buffet!

           Speaking of gold spray...do you have silk greens at home that seem a little tired, but are just too good to throw away, and you don't know what you would put in their places?  Here's a fall decorating tip - spray paint!  I use Design Master 24 kt Pure Gold spray to give a light dusting of gold to my tired ivy and other greenery. A light touch will create a highlight for you. Go over your silks second time (be sure to spray outside on a calm day, and use gloves, as the paint always gets on your hands) to add a stronger gold touch to your greenery. Then, tuck the embellished greenery around the oranges, browns and tans of your fall decorating. The touch of green will enliven your fall colors, and the gold will make it look like it belongs. Enjoy!

Fall Decorating Tip - "Go Up!"

Most fall arrangements are horizontal...we scatter the leaves down the table, tumble pumpkins and gourds into a loosely contained river of decorations, and possibly add acorns or apples - and it's all good!  I love that look!  But if you want to change it up a little this year, without a big expense - our tip is..."Go Up!"

That is what we've done with this little collection. We started with a 10" x 6" clear glass vase. We then took a "wired" garland - in this case our artificial Bittersweet Garland, and created a corkscrew shape, rising up from the inside of the vase to extend up over the top, which draws the eye up to the rising bittersweet. We then added a Turban Squash, a collection of Gourds and a scattering of acorns. This look is rather compact, which you could use if you have a smaller area to decorate. You'll also notice a classic triangular shape, created by color, in which our eyes move from the red gourd in front left, up the bittersweet, (with its red berries)  and then down to the right, to rest on the red turban squash. Our eyes enjoy that kind of "movement" in displays. What ways have you used to add a different dimension to your fall decorating? We'd love to hear from you! These items are available separately or in a complete collection at Furniture Gourmet.
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"Start with what you have" Fall Decorating Ideas

Many of us are ready to think about how we want to decorate our homes for fall, and this year you might want to "spice up" your displays without spending a lot of money. That's why our series of fall decorating tips are to suggest you start with what you have, and just add a touch or two to freshen up and add a little surprise here and there!

 Start with the wonderful golds and browns and oranges that you already have.  You may have artificial or you may love to buy real pumpkins and gourds each year. We love our artificial Bittersweet that we can use each year.  Then, add the surprise of a different color - in this case, our elegant black pumpkins!  They're new this year, and we love them!  Some decorators say every room should have something black - think about whether your fall display would look good (to you) with a dash of black!  Burgundy is an interesting color, too, to add to the traditional fall colors. Our new burgundy pumpkins even  have a touch of green on them, which is a complementary color to red, so each color brightens the other.

Watch for more decorating ideas which help you to Start with What you Have. Bon Appetit!